Do you have this problem?

A little lag in the internet connectivity may lead to this situation. Since you say that you use computers in Australia and China then the problem could be with the cookies settings. If you are using any firewall please do check the firewall settings also weather this gmail cookies are allowed or not.

I have never faced this problem. If you use your own PC, why don't you download your email via Outlook or Thunderbird. It is pretty much easier.

I have been getting a message that says it is taking longer than usual to log into my account and do I want to view my email in HTML. I have not gotten the internet message.

Sometimes I also have this problem the same as you! I did not do anything, just wait for the internet is OK! Then I do the things I want. I think maybe so many people visit gmail, so made it too busy.:-)

NO I NEVER EVER HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT i have never had a problem with gmail till today i have found it to be very fast. is that the same problem you have when you try to log in yahoo or hotmail. then you must check your server.